Synthetic Sin is a 1929 film directed by William A. Seiter

William A. Seiter

William A. Seiter was an American film director. He was born in New York City. After attending Hudson River Military Academy, Seiter broke into films in 1915 as a bit player at Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios, doubling a cowboy...

, based on a play of the same name.

Story

Famed playwright Donald Anthony returns home to Magnolia Gap, Virginia, and proposes to Betty Fairfax. She accepts and he offers he the lead part in his next play, but the play is a disaster. Donald tells her that she is unsuited for the role, that it requires someone with more life experience. Rather than return home defeated, Betty stays in New York, in a bad neighborhood where local gangsters adopt her as their own. When Donald comes to visit her, they eject him. There is a gunfight, and in the resulting confusion Donald sweeps in and rescues Betty. After the excitement, Betty gives up her dreams of the stage and devotes herself to Donald.

Analysis

This story is in some ways similar to an earlier film Colleen made at the Christie Studio, A Roman Scandal

A Roman Scandal (film)

A Roman Scandal is a short silent American comedy film starring Colleen Moore, and directed by Al Christie.-Story:Mary is stage struck and will not marry until she makes it in show business. Her fiance is distraught that they might never marry. The actors of the local stage company go on strike,...

, wherein Colleen's character has dreams of the stage and a man she is betrothed to. In the earlier film, the production is a disaster because of an actor's union strike. After the disaster passes, both of Colleen's characters retire from the stage and devote themselves to their soon-to-be husbands.